Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy – Trusted Care Counselling

At Trusted Care Counselling, your privacy is a top priority. We are committed to protecting your personal and health information in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) of Ontario, and where applicable, PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act).

This policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and disclose your information.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect and store the following information when you interact with our services:

a. Personal Information

Name, date of birth, contact info (email, phone, address)

Emergency contact information

b. Health Information

Reason for seeking therapy

Mental health history

Notes from therapy sessions

Referrals or reports from other professionals (if applicable)

c. Technical Information

When visiting our website: IP address, browser type, device information, and pages visited (collected via cookies or analytics tools)

2. How We Use Your Information

Your information is used for:

Providing safe, ethical, and effective psychotherapy services

Contacting you for scheduling or therapy-related communication

Creating and maintaining clinical records as required by law

Responding to requests, inquiries, or emergencies

Internal business operations, such as billing or quality improvement

Website analytics and performance (non-identifiable data only)

We will never sell or rent your information.

3. How Your Information is Protected

We store all health records in secure, encrypted platforms that comply with Canadian privacy standards. Physical records (if any) are stored in locked cabinets. Only authorized clinicians and staff have access to your information.

We take steps to prevent unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of your personal health information.

4. Sharing Your Information

Your information will only be shared with:

Other healthcare providers, with your consent

Legal authorities, only if required by law, such as:

Risk of serious harm to self or others

Child or elder abuse/neglect

Court order or subpoena

We will always aim to inform you before disclosing information, unless it is not safe or legally possible to do so.

5. Your Rights

You have the right to:

Access your records

Request corrections to your records

Withdraw your consent (with limits)

Ask how your information has been shared

6. Cookies and Website Tracking

Our website may use cookies or analytics tools (e.g. Google Analytics) to improve your browsing experience. These tools collect non-identifiable information such as device type, time spent on the site, or pages visited. You can disable cookies in your browser settings.

7. Data Retention

Client records are retained for at least 10 years after the last session, or 10 years after a minor turns 18, in accordance with Ontario regulations. After that, records are securely destroyed.

8. Consent

By using our website, filling out our forms, or beginning therapy with us, you are consenting to the collection and use of your personal information as outlined in this policy.

9. Policy Updates

This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website. If major changes are made, we will notify clients where appropriate.